7 in 7: Seven Disney World Resorts in Seven Days

Disney's Beach Club Resort Overview

Disney's Beach Club opened on November 19th, 1990 alongside its sister resort, Disney's Yacht club. Located along Crescent Lake, the Beach Club's understated elegance mixed with the summer ambiance of the New England seaside combine to create a relaxing and casual atmosphere. The pale blue and white multi-level buildings have cut shingles, French doors and seashell motifs. Created by renowned architect Robert A.M. Stern, the “stick-style” design was a popular architectural form for summer cottages in the 1860s and 1870s. Stern is also the architect who designed Disney's Yacht Club resort as well as Disney's Boardwalk Resort. This resort's popularity may be derived from its location - just a short walk to the International Gateway entrance to Epcot.

The resort's lobby, a combination of white wicker, hardwood floors and high ceilings bring seacoast imagery to the forefront. The landscaping is also reminiscent of a New England style with magnolias, Japanese elms, Bradford pear trees, crape myrtle, gardenias and roses lining the courtyards and walkways.

True to the resort's name, there is a white sand beach just across the main walkway in front of the resort. Replete with bench swings, lounge chairs and an amazing view of the Boardwalk Resort just across Crescent Lake, this is a great place to sit, relax and take in the sights.

Services/Amenities

Wi-Fi Service (complimentary wi-fi access in guest rooms, main lobbies and main pools)

The sea is the inspiration for these rooms with their aquatic color scheme and glossy finishes. Powder blue upholstered headboards are outlined in mother-of-pearl and dark wood. Accents of blue-green and silver lend a sophisticated yet airy and light atmosphere. The rooms have French doors leading to a patio or balcony.

Most rooms at the Beach Club will sleep up to 5 adults. There are two queen beds and one day bed. Standard rooms at the Beach Club have several view options, all of which affect the price. Standard view rooms offer a view of the rooftop or parking log, Garden view rooms overlook the resort's many courtyards, while water view rooms will give you a view of Crescent Lake or Stormalong Bay (the resort's main pool). All rooms come with an alarm clock with mp3 player, mini fridge, ceiling fan, coffee maker with tea and coffee setup, hair dryer, ice bucket, safe, iron and ironing board, pool towels, desk and chair, telephone and television.

The club level at Disney's Beach Club allows you access to the Stone Harbor Club (concierge lounge). The lounge is open from 7am to 10pm and serves continental breakfast in the morning, light snacks in the afternoons, as well as hot and cold hors d'oeuvres in the evening. Dessert and spirits are also served later in the evening. There are two concierge cast members on duty throughout the day to assist guests with priority seating arrangements, the scheduling of FastPasses, and a host of other services. This lounge was completely renovated in 2014 and has been greatly expanded in terms of its seating capacity. Once a small, cramped space, the Stone Harbor Club is now spacious and comfortable.

Disney's Beach Club Resort Dining

Another of the many benefits to staying at the Beach Club
is the wide variety of dining options within walking distance.
Nearby are the Boardwalk Resort, Yacht Club, Swan and
Dolphin hotels, and Epcot's World Showcase restaurants
that can offer a multitude of culinary delights. However,
at the Beach Club itself, you'll find Beaches and Cream
and the Cape May Café.

TIP: Try the "Kitchen
Sink" if you dare 8 scoops of ice cream (2 scoops
each of chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and the daily flavor)
smothered in toppings. Servers make a big production of
presenting it to you too. Warning, this is definitely
a group activity!

Cape May Café: Guests can join in the fun with a beach party-themed character breakfast featuring Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and Donald. At dinner it’s an all-you-can-eat clambake. Open for breakfast 7:30am-11am (character breakfast buffet, hot and cold breakfast items, Mickey waffles, fruit, yogurt and pastries); Open for dinner 5pm-9pm (seafood, carved meats, pastas and salads)

Pools and Recreation

The Beach Club shares its primary pool, Stormalong Bay, with the Yacht Club. This is like a mini-water park, and there are many areas to explore. The waterslide is housed in a shipwreck and empties out into the larger pool area. There is an area with pulsating water jets and a lazy river where you can float along the current in inner tubes. One of the most unique features of Stormalong Bay is the sandy bottom of the pool. There are several secluded hot tubs around the complex as well as a kiddie pool complete with a mini-water slide.

The popularity of Stormalong Bay with non-resort guests
prompted Disney to surround the complex with a fence
that is guarded by Cast Members checking resort IDs.
Only Yacht and Beach Club guests and DVC members can
use Stormalong Bay.

An additional quiet pool area is entirely separate from the Stormalong Bay area. It is located on the far extremity of the resort closest to Epcot. Pool towels are available in both locations.

A number of poolside activities are scheduled each afternoon. Ranging from sandcastle building to trivia, there is a broad spectrum of games and challenges for families to participate in while they enjoy the water area.

Disability Services (pool lifts and other access options)

Complimentary life jackets

Swim diapers required for children that aren’t toilet trained (swim diapers can be purchased in merchandise locations)

Lafferty Place Arcade: Open 6am -12am

Jogging Trail: Boardwalk Canal (1 mile), Crescent Lake Loop (.8 mile)

Volleyball and Tennis Courts: Complimentary volleyballs, tennis balls and tennis racquets may be checked out at Ship Shape Massage Salon and Fitness 9am-6pm. Private tennis lessons are also an option for a fee (321) 228-1146.

Outdoor Campfire and Movie: Each night there is a complimentary showing of a Disney film. Located either on the beach or inside the Beach Club Solarium, the feature film changes daily (consult recreation calendar given upon guest check-in for time, location and particular movie)

Guided Fishing Excursions: For a fee, an expert guide will host your group during a catch-and-release fishing trip in some of the lakes on Disney property. Available times are 7am, 10am, and 1:30pm. Reservations required (407) WDW-BASS or visit the Concierge desk.

Albatross Treasure Cruise: For a fee, children aged 4-12 can board a water vessel at Bayside Marina to hunt treasure at various “ports” amongst Disney’s lakes. Reservations required, and these can be made at the Concierge desk.

Spa and Fitness

Ship Shape Massage, Salon and Fitness

Open 24 hours with MagicBand or card access

Strength training and cardio equipment

Massage treatments and facials (with reservation)

Transportation

One of the best selling features of the Beach Club
is its proximity to Epcot. A short three minute walk
and you're at the International Gateway at the World
Showcase entrance to Epcot. Even when entering the park
before the World Showcase "officially" opens
at 11am, Cast Members will guide guests to the Future
World section of Epcot. This is also great for avoiding
the throngs of people leaving Epcot after Illuminations.
Other modes of transportation for Beach Club guests
are available.

The Swan and Dolphin Hotel: Walk; Boat (available 8am on standard days and 7:30am on Extra Magic Hour mornings until one hour after Park closing)

Disney's Boardwalk Inn: Walk; Boat (available 8am on standard days and 7:30am on Extra Magic Hour mornings until one hour after Park closing)

Note: The bus stop is located outside of the lobby and near the conference center with buses departing approximately every 20 minutes. The boat dock is located by the lighthouse on Crescent Lake with boats departing approximately every 20 minutes.

Sandcastle Club: Parents can enjoy time to themselves while their young ones play with their peers in a facility designed to entertain them for hours. Under adult supervision provided by the Beach Club’s childcare staff, kids will enjoy movies, toys, video games, board games, puzzles, books, arts and crafts, coloring, LEGOs and imaginative play.

Open from 4:30pm-12am (a late fee of $1 per child per minute will be charged for parents arriving after midnight)

Cost is $15 per hour per child with a minimum of 2 hours. Dinner is included.

Open to children between the ages of 3-12 (all children must be toilet trained)

Must be signed in and out by their parent or legal guardian

Beepers are available for guardians (a $39 fee will be charged for non-returned beepers)